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On the morning of Dec. 7, 1941, Joseph P. McDonald manned the switchboard at Fort Shafter in Hawaii when he received the alarming message that radar had detected a large number of planes approaching from the north, heading fast for Oahu.
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Federal prosecutors intend to seek indictments next month against Lackawanna County Commissioner A.J. Munchak and former Commissioner Bob Cordaro from a federal grand jury investigating public corruption, according to a letter from the U.S. Attorney's Office.

The government's plans are spelled out in a letter signed Jan. 14 by Assistant U.S. Attorney Lorna N. Graham, who said prosecutors intend to present "U.S. vs. Robert Cordaro and A.J. Munchak" to a federal grand jury on Tuesday, Feb. 16.

The Times-Tribune reviewed a copy of the letter Wednesday. It cites "a federal criminal investigation being conducted in the (U.S.) Middle District of Pennsylvania into possible violations of federal law," and advises that the subjects of the investigation, Mr. Munchak and Mr. Cordaro, have a right to testify or present evidence before the grand jury.

Other signs surfaced Wednesday that the lengthy federal investigation was gaining momentum.

Mr. Munchak spent three hours in the FBI's Scranton office on Wednesday but declined to say why he was there or what he was asked.

Mr. Munchak's lawyer, Chris Powell of Scranton, said the FBI's questions involved "vendors and cash" but would not elaborate. When he was asked if he thought Mr. Munchak might be indicted, Mr. Powell said, "I hope not."

Mr. Munchak said the long interview left him tired.

Asked if he feared the prospect of facing federal charges, Mr. Munchak said, "I'm not worried, I'm not resigning," he said. "I'm staying the course."

About 90 minutes after his marathon session with the FBI, Mr. Munchak, 63, sent a mass e-mail to county employees, saying he was not going to resign. "I had to squelch the rumors," he said.

Efforts to obtain comments from Mr. Cordaro through e-mail as well as a call to his attorney, Michael A. Schwartz of the Philadelphia law firm Pepper Hamilton, were unsuccessful.

It could not be determined what charges federal prosecutors intend to seek against Mr. Cordaro or Mr. Munchak.

Mr. Munchak and Mr. Powell arrived at the FBI offices Wednesday about 10 a.m. and were confronted with a wall of TV cameras and reporters when they left about 1 p.m.

At an impromptu press conference on Linden Street, Mr. Powell called "rumors" that Mr. Munchak was going to resign or enter a guilty plea simply "out of the question."

"We are simply cooperating with the FBI," Mr. Powell said.

Mr. Powell said Mr. Munchak, 63, had undergone other interviews with the FBI, but after Wednesday's marathon session said he suspects there will be "no more meetings."

Mr. Munchak's earlier sessions with federal agents concerned Charles "Chuckie" Costanzo, a longtime friend of Mr. Cordaro's from Dunmore, who was awarded a non-bid contract to administer the county's workers' compensation. Mr. Costanzo, who was later convicted of stealing almost $650,000, was sentenced to 70 months in federal prison in August.

A federal grand jury in Scranton has been hearing testimony and reviewing documents involving multimillion-dollar county projects since at least last summer.

Records have been subpoenaed from the county co-owned airport and the authority that manages the county stadium and baseball team. The investigators also collected copies of all Lackawanna County checks issued to Mr. Cordaro.

Those confirmed by The Times-Tribune to have appeared before the grand jury include Mr. Cordaro's brother, Ronald Cordaro; former county engineer Al Magnotta; and the airport's director of engineering Al P. Brocavich.

Mr. Cordaro and Mr. Munchak took office as majority commissioners in 2004, ending a 20-year reign of Democratic control over county government.

Under their administration until 2008, county taxpayers were jolted with an unprecedented tax hike, followed by huge spending projects, including a $43.7 million renovation at the county courthouse in downtown Scranton. An $80 million airport construction project also was completed in 2006.

beautiful pic. AJ. I think it says it all!!chuck gone but singing i'm sure..AJ start singing before its to late for you!!Bobbie HAVE A NICE TRIP!!!!!! NO TUNE WILL HELP YOU..Andy (DA) you too HAVE A NICE TRIP..

I am quite aware you mean county. I felt like tying it all together, basically naming the All-Star Democratic party leading our fine city and county...Haaa, higher education doesn't matter, you're right...Let me repeat,a Male Cheerleader is the guy in charge.

Clark, you're aware we're referring to county officials, not Scranton, correct? This isn't about the media, where anyone did or did not attend college. This is about angry county residents finally relieved that the corruption thats been brewing for some time now is being investigated. If I weren't mistaken, your unbias on the subject is hard to see, and I wouldn't be suprised if you aren't one of these winners, or family. Stop studying government official's higher education, and focus on their terms in office.

Interesting points, but it's obvious the cycle continues if that's your viewpoint. Like a hamster running in that little plastic ball; going nowhere. It's quite easy to point fingers and such, especially with a media outlet that is so Pro-O'Brien/Washo, that you can't get unslanted views. Friends in the media? He doesn't have any because no "friends in the media" are stand up guys. The liberal party of Lackawanna county are all "Yes Men", while Bob is not. If you dont believe it's jealousy, well, ha, i don't know what to tell you. More like "kick em while they're down" rather than "hang em high". No matter what the guy says now, it's going to be turned around on him as it has been before.

All we need to know is that the leaders of Lackawanna County are a former male PSU cheerleader, a Harry Reid look-a-like wimpier than a sloppy joe, Janet Evans,enough said, and 6 school board members who didn't attend college. Need I say more? Eeeeekk.

Clark, You're obviously as inept and deluded as your fictional persona. It's not jealousy that rules here, it's scrutinous observation. If things seem to good to be true, they are probably not as they seem or are being perceived. When good, hard-working people think something stinks, it's probably rotten. It's a fact that MOST people in this area have a good work ethic, it's part of the coal mining and railroad legacies. But when you see someone doing well, you aspire to do better. But when it's plain to see that there is foul play or sereptitious activities taking place, attention is drawn. It's apparent that Bobby has made some questionable decisions and business deals while he was a commissioner. If there was no evidence, or if this was just a witch hunt, people would be lining up to defend Mr. Cordaro. However, just the opposite is happening. I believe the terms many are using are, "Hang em' high!". Strong words, but they are the words of frustrated taxpayers. If Bob is so innocent, why aren't his friends in the media, etc. coming to his rescue? I think the answer is obvious. When Bob wanted to be seen and heard, you couldn't get enough of him. Now that he is under the microscope, he can't be reached for comment. Need I say more?Be vigilant, but not vigilantes...

You losers are just jealous of anyone who prospers in the Scranton area. It's pathetic to see how much success and prosperity can bring about hate and negativity. It's like a bizarro world. Get your money up if you're so angry, and stop making excuses. I am a unbias towards the situation. It's so clear to see how many loser liberals have cried foul on capitalistic conservatives. These liberal guys are the same guys who never got into a varsity game, have a mediocre significant other at best, and those who seem socially inept. Bob Cordaro is a graduate of Rochester, basically an Ivy, where he wa All-American in football. He later went on to the Wharton School of Business at UPenn, (Arguably # 1 Biz school in country dum dums). The dude is succesful and has swagger; so now people accuse and criticize because of that? No progress will ever be made with an culture that refuses to encourage advancement.

"Things in the joint weren't so bad...we got whatever we needed. We had wine every night with dinner and Bobby would cut the garlic sooooooo thin, it would just carmelize in the pan. Munchak would make the sauce...but he would always put too many onions in it!" Wow, I can't believe it really goes down this way. Maybe bobby and Pauly have been talking about making a Goodfellas sequel the whole time. And everyone thought the movie was about Cali...RIGHT!

I am curious as to why WE haven't put a Giant Banner across rte 81 welcoming the FBI to Lackawanna County? I have listened to comments from many people about the corruption in Luzerne County, Comments like..."I am surprised that teachers in the schools down there were paying for their jobs." How can anyone living in either County be surprised at that revealation? Every teacher who graduated from college and was looking locally for a job that I have known for over 30 years was asked to PAY for their jobs in most of the districts here in Lackawanna County. I have heard the same from Monroe and Susquehanna Counties. I say HOORAY...and wish there could be a ticker tape parade for the arrival of the FBI. It is starting with Munchak and Cordaro, and it will blossom to grab all of the corrupt elected officials here that have been doling out contracts for profit for MANY YEARS. SICk EM G-MEN.

No one makes a crook. Either you are one or you're not. This poor little AJ being led astray by big bad Bob is a crock. Both feathered this personal nestegg and now it is time to pay for the larceny. I do like the holy crap, I'm caught picture of AJ though. I'll be waiting with baited breath for Bobs perp walk.